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Roughcheek sculpin (Ruscarius creaseri) — Cottidae

Roughcheek sculpin

Ruscarius creaseri
Family: Cottidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Roughcheek sculpin (Ruscarius creaseri) is a saltwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–27 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The roughcheek sculpin is a small sculpin from the eastern Pacific, ranging from central California to central Baja California. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a large head with a rough cheek texture, from which it takes its name. As a bottom-dweller the fish lives from the intertidal zone to about 27 metres depth and feeds on small bottom animals. It is a rare species. The fish is harmless to humans and has not been evaluated by the IUCN (NE).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Roughcheek sculpin?

The Roughcheek sculpin has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Large head with a rough cheek texture; rare intertidal dweller

Where does the Roughcheek sculpin live?

The Roughcheek sculpin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific

How big does the Roughcheek sculpin get?

The Roughcheek sculpin grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Roughcheek sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Roughcheek sculpin is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Roughcheek sculpin edible?

The Roughcheek sculpin is not usually eaten.

More photos

Roughcheek sculpin (Ruscarius creaseri) — Cottidae — 2
Zach Fratello (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Roughcheek sculpin (Ruscarius creaseri) — Cottidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Zach Fratello, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Roughcheek sculpin (Ruscarius creaseri) — Cottidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) christrent, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Roughcheek sculpin (Ruscarius creaseri) — Cottidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Andrew Harmer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Roughcheek sculpin verified
Scientific name
Ruscarius creaseri
Family
Cottidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown
Pattern
Marbled
Tail shape
Rounded
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0 verified
Max depth (m)
27 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small benthic invertebrates and crustaceans
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Bottom-dweller of the intertidal zone; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Large head with a rough cheek texture; rare intertidal dweller sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Ruscarius

More from the family Cottidae

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